Radiator



March 2.6, 1929. F, M OPlTz 1,706,584

` RADIATOR Filecl April 22, 1926 3 Shets-Sheet l March 26, 1929. F. M. oPl-rz RADIATOR Filed April 22,` 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 26, 1929. F. M. oPlTz RADIATOR File'd April 22, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet Patented Mar. 26, 1,929.v

UNITED sT-A FRED M. OPITZ', OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 HEXCEL `RADIATOR COM- SAID WALTER W. WESCOTT.

RADIATOR.

Application filed April 22,

My invention pertains in general to auto-- mobile radiators. Speoically, the present invention contemplates the provision of a novel and improved radiator iin.

In the ordinary fin and tube type` of radiator, tliefins thereof are not self-supporting but are dependent upon the tubes for their suppoi't. Ii propose to provide an improved tubular radiator unit wherein the fins are not dependent upon the tubes for their support,thetubes being utilized asguidingelements for the proper location and setting up ofthe radiator tin into a rigid construction. In my construction the tubes are fastened to the inswhicli are self-supporting.

l-Ieretofore, in this type of radiator, the only practical way of making the construction a strongand rigid one was to dip the construction in a bath of solder. In other words, it has been impossible to produce a satisfactory tubular radiator without dipping the face thereof into solder. Obviously, such use of solder causes the radiator to be less eiiicient as a cooling medium inasmuch as the portions which have been covered with solder are thicker and hence less conductive. Also these portions are less conductive because of the lower heat conductivity of solder as compared with brass or copper.

The construction I provide does not require that it be dipped into a bath of solder in order to give it rigidity and mechanical strengthv as it inherently self-supporting without solder. I preferably employ my radiator unit which may be fastened `to the rigid radiator structure by baking the entire unit ina suitable oven for a given period oftime. Obviously, if desired, I may dip all or a part of the radiator in solder without devia-ting from my invention.v The strength and rigidity of my improved'unit resides in the fin construction itself; the fins being assen'ible'd in such a manner that the construction is inherently strong andy rigid.

In the structure of my invention, the fins are adapted to interlock and are self-aligning. Moreover, due to the interlocking feature the iinsare caused to be self-supporting and hence rare inherently rigid and possessed of relatively great strength. The ins may be assembled in interlocked position independently of the Atubes and the tubes then threaded through the aligned openings.l

Also the cores or sections may be assembledV into a unit of any predetermined depth Withtinned tubes inA 1926. Serialv No.k 103,796. i

in limits. Since the interlocking kfins are self- I l.metal tins, each of the fins being furnished with a plurality of transverse protuberances for properly spacing it from the adjacent a lateral extension adapted to enter into a telescoping relation withr a similarextension on a contiguous fin, and a plurality of tubes positioned within the said apertures and fastened to the said fins. The tubes in additionto serving as conduits for the water also serve as guiding elements for enabling the proper alignment and assembly of the fins. Then, too, theftelescoping extensions of the tins suriin, and a plurality of apertures, each having p rounding the tubes do not impose any undue stresses o r strains on the tubes inasmuch as the fins are self-reinforced and self-supporting.

The novel lins of my construction are formed of comparatively thinsheet material such as brass, copper or bronze sheets. I preferably secure the tubes to the interlocking fins by tinning the tubes prior to assemblying them into the radiator unit. After -the unit is assembled it is preferably baked to about 4G00 F. in any conventional oven. The baking action causes the tin or solder on the tubes to not lonly fastenv the interlocking `portions of the fins together, but serves to fasten the tubes to the interlocking portions.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments thereof, and in which, y Y

Figure 1 is a view of a strip of sheet'material from which'my novel finis formed;

Fig. 2 is a plan-view of the strip aftery a forming operation has been performed illustrating the first step involved in the manufacture of my novel fin; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure Q, lookingin the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a lview illustrating the second step Fig.. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line (5 6 of Fie' re 5 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view talien on the line 7-7 of Figure 5;

Fig. 8 is a s etional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 5; y

Fig. 9 is a sectional view illustrating' the manner in which the radiator tubes are mounted in my novel fins;

Fig. lO is a view illustrating a plurality of fins piled one upon. another with the tubes eX- tending thereth rough;

Fig. l l is a sectional view taken on the line llll of Figure 9 looking upwardly;

Fi l2 a ,sectional view taken on the line 12---12 of Figure l0;

F ig. 13 is a view illustrating how the units may be associated with each other;

Fig. ist is a plan view of a modified form of tin;

Fig. l5 is a sectional. view taken onthe line 'l5-l5 of Figure lei-5 V Fig. 16 is a view partly in section illustrating how the tubes are mounted in the modified form of fin;

Fi 17 is a sectional view taken on the line 1.7-17 of Figure 1G lookingl in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Fig. 13 is a Section al view taken on the line 13%18 of Figure 1G.

Referring now to the d rawings in detail in which like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views, 20 denotes generally a strip of sheet material (Figure l), from which my novel fin is formed. The material employed. may be of bronze brass, copper, or any other suitable material. rlhe first. step involved in the manufactin'e of the novel radiator fin is to pass this material tl'iroiigh suitable drawin or stretching mechanism to produce the construction illustrated in Figure 2.

As best shown in Figures 2 a n d 3, it will be noted that the first step in the process of inanufacturing my novel radiator fin7 consists in forn'iing or rollino the sheet in. such a manner that it will be furnished with a plurality of polygonal shaped ilirotuberances 2l. These proluberances are formed preferably by drawing or stretching the metal so as to increase the cooling area afforded by the strip or ribbon 2O without changing its length or width. For example, let us assume that the ribbon 2() is one inch wide and ten inches long. New. when the protuberanees are formed in the sheet 20, this fin or sheet will present, for example, l5 square inches of cooling surface without having added or used any additional metal.

Fach protuberance comprises a plurality of slanting sides 22 and a substantially 'flat top rl`he top 23 is disposed in substantially the same plane as the strip. Fiach proas indicated at 2G in Figure 3.

tuberanee 2l is spaced from the adjacent protuberances 2l by transverse horizontal spaces 24. rilhe protuberances are spaced equi-dis tantly apart and their size depends upon Vthe size of the radiator 'tube to be used in the radiator unitary construction. rlhe protuberances are defined on their end sides by a pair of longitudinal flanges 25. Fach of the flanges 25 may be forniied substantially flat or slanting. in the preferred embodiment of my invention, l form these flanges into bead. rifhe forming of the flanges 25 into heads may be done conteniporaneously with the forming of the protuberances 2l er on the other ha d they may be formed separately and by independent forming mechanism.

in. Figures L and 5, l have illustrated the next two steps involved in the i'nanufacture of my radiator lin. The first step consisted in. forming the protuberances 2l. New, the next step consists in slitting the protnberances as indicated at 30 in Figure 4. Fach slit 30 is located substantially transverse to he direction of the strip and is disposed in a substantially central position with respect to the top 23 of eachprotuberance. The slit 30 may be formed by any suitable slitting mechanism. At the same time that the slit 30 is made7 ll also provide the spaces 24 with transverse slits 3l. The slits 3l are parallel to the slits 30 land are preferably the same size as the slits 30. Thus, it will be seen that the slits 3() are separated from each other bythe slits 3l, or in other words, the slits30 and 3l alternate throughout the entire strip. i

ln Figure 5, have illustrated the third and last step involved in the manufacture of the radiator fins, rlhis step consists in formin the slits 30 and 3l into apertures or open* ings 32 and 33, respectively. These apertures or openinos 32 and 33 are adapted to econ'unodate the tubes of the radiator. As best shown in Figure 6, theopenings 32 are each defined by a laterally extending flange This flan extends inside of the protuberance 2l, so to speak, and is prefe ably disposed at right angles to the plane of the fin. lt will be seen therefore that no material is punched from the strip in order to form the opening 32. On the contrary, the material pushed out of the way in this forming operation is utilized to create the flange 3l which is adapted to interlock with a similar flange on an adjacent fin as will be more fully explained hereinafter. This formiifig of the flange is made possible by first slitting the prctuberances 2l as has already been described.

New7 the slits 3l` are formed into the apertures 33 which are somewhat smaller' than the apertures 3... The apertures 33 are each defined by a lateral fiange 35 disposed at'right angles to the plane of 'the fin. This flangel is adapted to ytelescope an aperture 32 as will become 'obvious from the description to hereother. The ends ofthe tubes may terminatey in suitable headers in any conventional manner. Although the tubes 40 may be made of any suitable or desirable material, I prefer'- ably provide each of them with a coating of tin for a purpose to be hereinafter explained in detail. In assemblying the radiator units, the tubes are placed in one of the radiator fins and the fins are piled one upon another. In other Words, the assemblying operation involves merely a pile-*up operation.

The tins are piled one upon another in such a manner that the flange 34 of'each opening 32 is adapted to be telescoped by the flange 35 of each opening 33. In :other Words, the ianges 35 telescope the flanges 34 as best shown in Figure 11. This results in each tin being staggered with respect to the adjacent iin. Then, too, the telescoping portions 34 and 35 surround the corresponding tube 40. This telescoping feature enablesthe fins to be interlocked and insures oftheir proper alignment. Furthermore, the telescoping feature permits of a more rigid and strong structurev than has heretofore been possible. Also, thertins are not dependent upon the tubes 40 for this support, inasmuch as they are selisupporting. In fact, as Will beexplained hereinafter, the tubes are, in reality,

fastened to the telescoping portions of the tins. The fins may be assembled into units of any predetermined or desired depth depending upon the size of radiator.` required. Moreover, since the interlocking fins are self'- supporting no undue'strains or stresses are imposed upon the tubes by the fins as has been the case in the past. The tubes 40 in'addition to serving as conduits for conveying steam and water serve as guides for enabling the proper alignment and setting up of the fins into a unitary radiator structure. y

As best shown in Figure 11, it will be observed that the protuberances 21 alternate with the s laces 24. This resultsr in the fins giving the radiator unit a cellular effect. The cells formed by the alternating protuberances are somewhat polygonal in shape. Moreover, it should be noted that the protuberances of one ii n are staggered with respect to the protuberances of the adjacent fin so as to permit of the previously described telescoping action. After Ythe fins and tubes 40 have been assembled together into a unitary structurethe next step is to fasten the tubes to the tins. I preferably fasten the tubes to the telescoping portions of the fins which fastening also serves Yto secure the flanges 34 to the flanges 35, thus tianges.

creating a rigid construction. Inasmuch as the tubes 40 are tinned before they are assembled intoy ther unitary structure, it Will of course be apparent that by heating the tubes th'e'tin coating will serveto fasten the teleseoping portions together and to the tubes.l

In practice, I have attained excellent results by baking the assembled units in an oven to av temperature ofr approximately 460O F. After the baking operation it will be found that all of the'fins are interlocled as Well as fas-tened to the tubes. Idesire it understood however that the fins rsupport themselves and are not dependent upon the tubes 40 for reinforcement. This construction minimizes the possible strain orstresses which might be imposed onthe tubes 40. l

The previously described baking operation eliminates the necessity of having to dip the face of the radiator construction into a bath of solder in order to secure the fins to the tubes.y By obviating the necessity of having to solder the fins to the tubes, the exposed area of the radiator is greatly increased theref by-y resulting in a more etlicient cooling me-` dium. That is to say, the etliciency of the radiator depends upon the area of the exposed radiator fin and obviously by increasing this area a greatly improved construction Will be created. e

The finished radiator unit'may be mounted in suitable headers, either as a single unit or f in multiple, asillustrated in Figure 13. In

this illustration, it will be evident that the beadedportion26 of each unit abuts va beaded portion kof the adjacent unit. If it is desired, these beaded portions'may be secured to each other in. any suitable manner. This Will perl.mit of a rigid radiator composed of a plurality of radiator units embodying thefeatures of my invention.

..1 have illustrated a modified form of my invention in Figures 14 to 18 inclusive. This form of the inventionv is very much similar tothe previolilsly described form and has several features in common With the other form of my invention.

The fin illustrated in Figure 14 has a plurality of polygonal shaped protuberances '41 which alternate with apertures 44. The protuberances 41 may be formed by any suitable mechanism, such,-for example, as a rolling mill ora punch press. The lapertures 44 in this' construction are not defined by annular On the contrary the material is punched free from the strip of material in order rto form theapertures 44. In other words, the'apertures 44 are formed by punching a plurality of blanks from the strip of material. f Referring to Figure 15, I have illustrated in dotted lines at 40 the part that has been blanked from the strip in order to form anV aperture 44. The part 40 prior to the` lblanlring operation cooperates With the adjacent sides`42" to form'another protuberance which projects from the sheet in an opposite direction to that of the protuberance 41. 'lhat is to say, the strip alter the forming operation has a somewhat corrugated app-earance. Thus it will be apparent that the aperture 44 not disposed in the plane o the strip but is positioned laterally from the sheet in much the same manner as the tops 43 of the protuberances 4 The protuberances 41 and 40 arein reality staggered with respect to each.

Also, it should be noted that the protuberances 41, in this construction, are not supplied with apertures as in my other modification. lllach pretuberance comprises a plurality of slanting' sides 42 and a. substantially flat top 43. Y lhe alternating ajfiertures and protuberances are delined on their sides by a pair of flanges 45 which may be also formed in any desirable manner. rllhe apertures 44 are of a sul'licient size to accommodate the tubes 46. The tubes 46 are spaced equi-distantly apart and are disposed parallel to each other. The tins and tubes are assembled together in much the same manner as those ol my preferred embodiment et the invention. ln the present construction however, the protuberances 41 are disposed immediately over each other. 'lll1.en,teo, every other fin in the unitary structure is positioned upside down with respect to the other lin so as to enable the tops 43 ot the protuberances 41 to engage with each other. This will result in the tins assuming a somewhat cellular appearance. The cells are polygonal in shape and it takes two tins to create a given set of cells.

rlhe tins and tubes in my modified -lorm ot the invention maybe secured together by dipping' the pile-up assembly into a bath of solder. Obviously, the solder adhering` to the lin construction will serve to `fasten the tubes 46 to the hns, as well as to tasten the tops 43 of the protuberanccs together. Then, too, the sides 42 defining' the apertures 44 will be secured together at the tubes 4G.

The modilied unitary construction may be assembled into a radiator composed ot' a pluralityot units in much the same manner as was discussed in connection with the illustration in Figure 13. rlhe flanges 45 of one unit may, il it is so desired,be secured to the flanges 45 of the adjacent unit.

New, ol course, l desire it understood that although l have described in detail several embodiments ol my invention, the invention is not te he limited thereby but only in so far as delined by the scope `and spirit oi the appended clain'is.

l claim 1. As an article of manufacture, a radiator lin ,comprising a strip ol" thin sheet material having formed therein a plurality of apertures each of which'is defined by a laterally Xtendinzg` `flange, alternate apertures being of one Vsizeand the other aperturesbeing` of a different size the flange defining the smaller aperture being shaped to lit relatively tight about a radiator tube and the flange del'ining the larger olli' said apertures being,` shaped to receive a flange about one oi the smaller apertures oit a similar lin.

2. As an article of manufacture, a radiator lin comprising` a thin strip oi' sheet material having formed therein a plurality of trans"- verse protuberancesV each of which is equipped with an aperture, said aperture being defined by a flange extending in an opposite direction to that ot the protuberance, said flange being cooperable With an aperture in a part et an adjacent iin.

3. As an article ci manufacture, a radiator .lin comprising a strip et thin sheet material having termed therein a plurality of transverse protuberances ext-ending laterally theretrom and a. plurality oi'apertures alternating with the said protuberances, each ot the said protuberances having' formed therein an apertin'c, said .several apertures in the protuberances disposed in a plane parallel with that of the other apertures, the apertures in the protuherances being; larger than those betuf'een the protubcrances.

4. As an article of manufacture, a radiator lin comprising' a strip of thinsheet material, having 'formed therein a plurality et alternatinp' protuberances and apertures, each ot' the irirotuberances being' provided with an aperture of a larger size than the other apertures, each of all the apertures being defined by a laterally extending flange'toi-'receiving a radiator tube. V

As an article ol" manufacture, a radiator lin comprising a strip of thin sheet material, having` termed therein a plurality of transverse protuberances extending); laterally theretroni and a plurality of apertures alternating with the protuberances, each et said apertures being defined by a laterally extending flange projecting' in a direction opposite to that of' the protuberance.

G. As an article of manufacture, a radiator lin. con'iprising' a sheet of thin metallic material having,` 'formed therein a plurality et transverse protuberances extending laterally therefrom and a plurality of apertures, alternate apertures being` of one size and the other apertures being' ol another size, each of the apertures being; dei'ined by a laterally extending' flange adapted to receive a ii'adiator tube the 'flange associated with each oit' the larger apertin'cs being' shaped similar to and slightly larger than the flange associated with the smaller aperture, said larger flanges being' capable of receiving' the smaller flanges et a similar lin.

7. In a tubular radiator unit, a plurality or fins piled one upon another, each of the said i'ins beingsr equipped with a plurality oit apertures, a plurality of protuberances for engagement With and 'for spacing it from the adjacent fins and a plurality of lateral flanges adapted to cooperate with the flanges ofthe adjacent fins to interlock the fins, anda plurality of tubes positioned within the apertures and fastened to the said fins.

8. In a tubular radiator unit, a plurality of fins piled one upon another, each fin having a. plurality of apertures, each aperture being defined by a laterally projecting flange adapted to cooperate with a flange of an adjacent lin to interlock the fins, .and aplurality of tubes extending through the apertures of the interlocked fins, alternate flan ges of each fin being disposed in and cut by one plane and the other flanges of the lin being disposed in and cut by a second planev parallel 'to said first plane.

9. In a tubular radiator unit, a plurality of fins piled one upon another, each lin having a plurality of apertures, each aperture being defined by a laterally projecting flange adapted to enter into a telescoping relation A with a. flange of an atijaoent'fin to interlock the fins, anda plurality of tubes extending through the apertures of the-interlocked fins,

alternate flanges of each lin ybeing .disposed in and cut by one plane and the other flanges oil the lin being disposed in and cut bya sec- 11. In a tubular radiator unit, a plurality of fins piled one upon another, each of the y said fins having a plurality of alternate apery tured protuberances and openings, the apertures in the protuberances being larger than the openings, each opening being defined by a laterally extending flange adapted to telescope the apertures in the contiguous protuberance of an adjacent iin, and a plurality .of tubes extending through the said apertuied protuberan ces and openings.

l2. As an article Yol' manufacture, a radiator fin comprising a narrow strip of thin sheet inetal, said strip having substantially straight edges-and having a series of frustuinsliaped vprojections extended outwardly from thev plane of the strip along the central part of rthe strip for engagement with adjacent fins to,

space vthe saine and to pro vide additional cooling surface, said strip having apertures therethrough for receiving vertical Water tubes.

18. In combination, a plurality of tins coinprising strips of thin sheet inetal, said strips having substantially straight edges and e: cli

having a row of relatively large protuberances along the central pai-tof the strip, the protuberances of each fin extending into engageinent with an adjacent fin to form spacy ing means, said lins having aligned openings and a series of flatvertical watertubes extending through the aligned openings, said tubes being embraced by the edges of the sheet about theopenings in 'the fins to form unions therewith, said unions being of less length along the tube than the extension of said protuberances from the body of the cor respon-ding fin. i .Y

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe iny name this 13 day of April, 1926.

FRED M. OPITZ. 

